Sign-In
Cart
History in Sum: 150 Years of Mathematics at Harvard (1825-1975)
Hardcover
General EducationGeneral Mathematics
ISBN13: 9780674725003
Publisher: Harvard
Published: Nov 1 2013
Pages: 280
Weight: 1.30
Height: 1.00 Width: 6.50 Depth: 9.40
Language: English
Awards: PROSE
In the twentieth century, American mathematicians began to make critical advances in a field previously dominated by Europeans. Harvard's mathematics department was at the center of these developments. A History in Sum is an inviting account of the pioneers who trailblazed a distinctly American tradition of mathematics--in algebraic geometry and topology, complex analysis, number theory, and a host of esoteric subdisciplines that have rarely been written about outside of journal articles or advanced textbooks. The heady mathematical concepts that emerged, and the men and women who shaped them, are described here in lively, accessible prose.
The story begins in 1825, when a precocious sixteen-year-old freshman, Benjamin Peirce, arrived at the College. He would become the first American to produce original mathematics--an ambition frowned upon in an era when professors largely limited themselves to teaching. Peirce's successors--William Fogg Osgood and Maxime B cher--undertook the task of transforming the math department into a world-class research center, attracting to the faculty such luminaries as George David Birkhoff. Birkhoff produced a dazzling body of work, while training a generation of innovators--students like Marston Morse and Hassler Whitney, who forged novel pathways in topology and other areas. Influential figures from around the world soon flocked to Harvard, some overcoming great challenges to pursue their elected calling.
A History in Sum elucidates the contributions of these extraordinary minds and makes clear why the history of the Harvard mathematics department is an essential part of the history of mathematics in America and beyond.
Also in
General Mathematics
The Golden Number: Pythagorean Rites and Rhythms in the Development of Western Civilization
Ghyka, Matila C.
Hardcover
How It All Works: All Scientific Laws and Phenomena Illustrated & Demonstrated
Dant, Adam
Clegg, Brian
Hardcover
Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race
Shetterly, Margot Lee
Paperback
Six Easy Pieces: Essentials of Physics Explained by Its Most Brilliant Teacher
Sands, Matthew
Feynman, Richard P.
Leighton, Robert B.
Paperback
Oliver Byrne's Elements of Euclid: The First Six Books with Coloured Diagrams and Symbols (Art Meets Science Edition)
Art Meets Science
Hardcover
Math Practice Workbook Grades 6-8: 1000+ Questions You Need to Kill in Middle School by Brain Hunter Prep
Brain Hunter Prep
Paperback
Who Gets What -- And Why: The New Economics of Matchmaking and Market Design
Roth, Alvin E.
Paperback
The Art of Strategy: A Game Theorist's Guide to Success in Business and Life
Dixit, Avinash K.
Nalebuff, Barry J.
Paperback
Tomoko Fuse's Amazing Kusudama Origami: Geometric Paper Art from Japan's Leading Expert!
Fuse, Tomoko
Paperback
Mastering Essential Math Skills Book 2, Bilingual Edition - English/Spanish
Fisher, Richard W.
Paperback
Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race
Shetterly, Margot Lee
Hardcover
The Great Math War: How Three Brilliant Minds Fought for the Foundations of Mathematics
Bardi, Jason Socrates
Hardcover
Math Games with Bad Drawings: 75 1/4 Simple, Challenging, Go-Anywhere Games--And Why They Matter
Orlin, Ben
Hardcover
Counting with - Contando Con Frida (Bilingual: English/Spanish): A Bilingual Counting Book
Rodriguez, Patty
Stein, Ariana
Hardcover
Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race
Shetterly, Margot Lee
Paperback
Quadrivium: The Four Classical Liberal Arts of Number, Geometry, Music, & Cosmology
Sutton, Daud
Lundy, Miranda
Ashton, Anthony
Hardcover
Graph Paper Composition Notebook: Quad Ruled 5x5, Grid Paper for Students in Math and Science
Wizo, Math
Paperback
50 Math Tricks That Will Change Your Life: Mentally Solve the Impossible in Seconds
Zakowich, Tanya
Paperback
Vector: A Surprising Story of Space, Time, and Mathematical Transformation
Arianrhod, Robyn
Hardcover
New York Post Fiendish Sudoku: The Official Utterly Addictive Number-Placing Puzzle
Gould, Wayne
Paperback
Touchthinklearn: Numbers: (Board Books for Baby Learners, Touch Feel Books for Children)
Deneux, Xavier
Hardcover
Quantum Mechanics Done Right: The Shortest Path from Novice to Researcher
Freericks, James K.
Hardcover
A Mind for Numbers: How to Excel at Math and Science (Even If You Flunked Algebra)
Oakley, Barbara
Paperback
ALEKS Math Placement Test Prep 2026: 1200 Verified Practice Questions with Accurate Answer Keys, Step-by-Step Worked Solutions, and Clear Concept Expl
Reid, Marcus L.
Publishing, Kettford
Paperback
Secrets of Mental Math: The Mathemagician's Guide to Lightning Calculation and Amazing Math Tricks
Shermer, Michael
Benjamin, Arthur
Paperback
Un Elefante: Numbers / Números (Bilingual: English/Spanish): A Bilingual Counting Book
Rodriguez, Patty
Stein, Ariana
Hardcover
Sudoku for Brain Fitness: 90-Day Challenge to Sharpen the Mind and Strengthen Cognitive Skills
Clontz, Steven
Demyanovich, Julie
Paperback
Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics, Grades K-12: 14 Teaching Practices for Enhancing Learning
Liljedahl, Peter
Paperback
WorkKeys Study Guide and Practice Test Questions: ACT WorkKeys Exam Prep and Review Book with Applied Mathematics, Locating Information, and Reading f
Trivium Exam Prep Team
Paperback
Talentos Ocultos: La Genialidad No Tiene Color. La Fuerza No Tiene Género. El Valor No Tiene Límite.
Shetterly, Margot Lee
Paperback
Concrete Mathematics: A Foundation for Computer Science
Patashnik, Oren
Knuth, Donald
Graham, Ronald
Hardcover
180 Days(r) Math for First Grade: Practice, Assess, Diagnose
Smith, Jodene
Smith, Jodene Lynn
Paperback
Number Systems and the Foundations of Analysis
Dudley, Underwood
Mathematics
Mendelson, Elliott
Paperback
Medical Dosage Calculations for Dummies
Depuente, Vanessa
Schoenborn, Barry
Snyder, Richard W.
Paperback
The Beginner's Guide to Constructing the Universe: The Mathematical Archetypes of Nature, Art, and Science
Schneider, Michael S.
Paperback
300 Math CrossWords: Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, and Division Math CrossWords Grade 3 and Above, Age +8
Martin, Josh Ortiz
Paperback
Reaching for the Extreme: How the Quest for the Biggest, Fewest, and Weirdest Makes Math
Stewart, Ian
Hardcover
Math Fundamentals 3 - Geometry: For Middle School - A Quickstudy Laminated Reference Guide
Wright, Susan
Expolog
Warren, Peggy
Other
Sciencia: Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Astronomy for All
Tweed, Matt
Watkins, Matthew
Betts, Moff
Hardcover
30 More Math Mysteries Kids Can't Resist!: Quick & Clever Mysteries That Boost Problem-Solving Skills
Lee, Martin
Paperback
Machine Learning with PyTorch and Scikit-Learn: Develop machine learning and deep learning models with Python
Liu, Yuxi (Hayden)
Mirjalili, Vahid
Raschka, Sebastian
Paperback
It's All a Game: The History of Board Games from Monopoly to Settlers of Catan
Donovan, Tristan
Paperback